Banana is one of our favorite fruits. We love to include it in various healthy drink or dessert recipes. Unfortunately, this exotic food tends to ripen very quickly. This is especially true for the summer. Now, when the temperatures are still mild, it is normal to ask yourself how to keep bananas longer. And as always, we are here to give you some super simple ideas on this subject!
Why not make banana compote?
Ripe bananas tend to spoil quickly. That’s why today I’m going to share with you my tips that allow me to keep these sweet fruits longer. What’s more, even when a banana has turned black, know that it’s still good. In fact, the riper a banana is, the tastier it is. So, never throw away bananas that have turned black before peeling them. In addition, with overripe bananas, you can make compotes, cakes, ice cream, etc.
Bananas are great for making muffins or banana bread.
You can even freeze these fruits (with the peel or peeled and sliced) in freezer bags. Be aware that when you freeze very ripe bananas, you prevent them from spoiling. But, keep in mind that when you take them out of the freezer, their skin will be all black, but their flesh intact.
Another trick I use is to wrap the stems of each banana in plastic wrap, as this slows down their ripening.
Wrap stems to extend fruit life
Furthermore, Supertrainers experts explain that “Bananas (still yellow) should not be kept in the fridge! Otherwise, they will turn black very quickly. Ideally, it is better to keep them in the open air at room temperature”. According to them, it is better to separate them and keep them like that to slow down rotting.
Pro Tips for Keeping Bananas Fresher Longer
Apart from these tips, I like to prepare compotes, ice cream and different desserts with bananas to preserve the fruit.
I will also give you some recipes that I prepare with overripe fruits to keep them for a few more days (or until I devour the dessert in question). You see, the only drawback is that we eat desserts very quickly.
Here is an easy dessert idea using bananas.
Banana bread
To prepare this delicacy you don’t even need sugar, which makes it perfect even when you are on a diet.
Ingredients :
- 2 eggs
- 90 g of small oat flakes
- 30 g of almond powder
- 2 very ripe bananas
- 100 ml of natural vegetable milk
- ½ sachet of yeast
- dried fruits (optional)
Preparation :
- In a large bowl, mash 1 banana, add eggs, oatmeal, almond powder, yeast, then milk gradually. Add dried fruit, if using.
- Pour the mixture into a cake tin lined with baking paper. Add the second banana cut lengthwise on top.
- Bake in a hot oven at 180°C for 30-40 minutes.
- After this time, check if it is cooked using a toothpick.
Banana bread is a healthy delight
Banana ice cream
This is my favorite recipe. It is really easy and can be prepared in just a few minutes.
Ingredients :
- 200 g frozen yellow banana slices
- 100 g frozen strawberries
- 3 fresh mint leaves
Preparation :
- Place everything in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Serve chilled.
Preserve these fruits in the form of ice cream
Zoom in on the top tips for knowing how to keep bananas longer
Keep them separate and away from other fruits
In general, it is ethylene gas that helps fruits and vegetables ripen. So, storing bananas near other fruits that release ethylene gas will speed up the rate at which they ripen.
This is why experts advise keeping bananas away from other vegetables/fruits such as apples, tomatoes, avocados, etc.
Also, remember to separate the bananas from each other. The reason? Because ethylene gas also spreads from one banana to the other. For best results, wrap plastic wrap around each stem once the bananas are separated. This slows down the ripening process.
Lots of tips to slow down the ripening process
Use a banana hook instead of storing them in a fruit bowl
Logically, to limit the contact of bananas with other fruits, they should not be stored in a fruit bowl.
What is more, it is recommended to hang the fruits rather than place them in a container. This way, the air circulation around the fruits is improved and thus the action of ethylene gas is reduced.
On this point, we are not, moreover, obliged to buy a special banana hook. It is enough just to use a simple hook fixed on one of the pieces of furniture in the kitchen.
Keep bananas away from other fruits and vegetables
Store in a cool, dark place
Ideally, bananas should be stored at a temperature of around 12°C. Otherwise, higher temperatures will ripen the fruit faster.
The same goes for light. Dark storage areas are best. So avoid leaving bananas in bright rooms.
Find them a cool, dark storage area
Can you keep bananas in the fridge?
The answer is yes. However, you have to pay attention to the most suitable time to do this. We are talking here about the stage in which the bananas are perfectly ripe.
- If you put them in the fridge too early, the skin may turn black, but the banana will remain green and will not be able to ripen properly.
- If it’s too late, the bananas will become mushy.
Usually, during the ripening process, the skin of the green banana first turns yellow and then brown. So, when you see that the banana is starting to ripen, you can wait 1 to 2 days and then put it in the fridge when it is already perfectly ripe.
How to store bananas in the fridge?
Put them directly into one of the drawers (without using bags or other packaging products). You can separate them or keep them together.
Refrigerate once the perfect ripening has been achieved.
Bananas can also be frozen. To do this:
- start by peeling the fruit
- then place it in an airtight bag or box
They can be stored like this for up to three months.
Note: You can freeze bananas whole, in pieces or slices.
Store in the freezer in slices or pieces
Banana Storage: Additional Tips
Aluminum foil on banana
A popular trick to slow down the ripening of bananas is to use aluminum foil. This simply involves wrapping a bit of the product around the stem of the fruit.
Lemon juice for banana preservation
Peeled and sliced bananas ripen much faster and therefore tend to brown quickly. To slow down the ripening, a little lemon juice (or other citrus fruit) is often used. To keep the slices fresh for longer, simply pour a little lemon juice over them. You can also consider wrapping them airtight and storing them in a cool place.
Bonus Tips to Keep Bananas Fresher Longer Using Kitchen Products
Sources:
©express.co
©brooklynfarmgirl
Bananas should be stored at room temperature to ripen. Once ripe, refrigerate to extend freshness. For long-term storage, peel and freeze them. The skin may darken in the fridge, but the fruit remains good.